Motorhome Chapter Spotlight | Family Motor Coach Association

This fun-loving group rallies among some of the United States' most beautiful scenery — all over the country.

By Peggy Jordan, F410999, Associate Editor
April 2009

More than 20 years ago, RVers who owned Tiffin Allegro motorhomes and lived in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area formed an owners club. Eventually they decided to make it an FMCA group, and the Utah Eagles chapter was chartered in 1992, just for Allegro owners.

As time went by and members bought other coach brands, they wanted to stay in the chapter, so the Allegro ownership requirement was dropped. Now all FMCA members who live in the Beehive State can join this active group.

Chapter president Mike Dowland said the chapter gets together every month, even in winter. The operative word is "meet" and not "rally." November's gathering is usually at a restaurant, and in December the chapter holds a big Christmas party. In January it's not really a planned event, but some members caravan together to the Western Area Rally in Indio, California, and travel afterward to Yuma, Arizona, then on to Quartzsite.

In April, chapter members hold their first official motorhome outing of the year. "Usually in spring (we) head south from Salt Lake City," Mike explained. This month the group planned to visit a national park such as Zion or Bryce Canyon, or Goblin Valley State Park.

Although owning an Allegro is not a current requirement for membership, every so often the chapter's former purpose comes to the forefront. This May, those who still own Allegros will head to Branson, Missouri, for a two-week outing to attend a Tiffin-sponsored event.

But the majority of the time, the chapter's annual two-week travel rallies are not Allegro-related. These longer rallies usually take place in May or September, when the weather is more pleasant, and they have been held at locations all over the map.

"We've been to Nashville, Tennessee; up into the Dakotas; to Florida; New Orleans; California; Oregon; and Washington. There have been only one or two years where we did not have a two-week extended vacation," Mike said.

The regular rallies last from Friday through Sunday and are within a 250-mile drive of Salt Lake City. These rallies also are geared toward fun activities. The Watermelon Days festival in Green River, Utah, was a popular event to base the September rally on last year, for example. Plus, some members enjoy four-wheeling — popular in Utah because of its rugged and beautiful terrain. Mike noted that when choosing rally locations, they now also take into account "lakes and parks where you can ride your four-wheelers."

Other rallies for this coming year are planned at Bear Lake, Utah, in June, and Rockport Dam (also in Utah) in August. Chapter dues are $20 per year and include a newsletter.